Singapore’s Changi Airport will close its Terminal 2 from May onwards, consolidating its operations in response to a steep decline in passenger traffic caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Given the unlikelihood of a return to normal passenger numbers in the near future, Changi will shutter the terminal, allowing ongoing upgrade work to be accelerated.

The move will enable stakeholders to save on running costs and optimise resources across the airport’s terminals to better match the low travel demand and airlines’ flight operations.

The suspension of operations will allow the current Terminal 2 expansion works, currently scheduled for completion in 2024, to be brought forward by up to one year.

Additionally, the airport’s Terminal 4 operations have been scaled down, with a small number of aircraft boarding gates kept in use and shops allowed to close early. Changi may also consider suspending operations at the terminal until normal flights resume.

“Even as our airport capacity is being optimised for the current situation, we will have the flexibility and we stand ready to ramp up operations quickly once the recovery takes place,” said Changi’s executive VP of airport management Tan Lye Teck.

Rentals for retailers operating in D4 have been waived for two months due to very low passenger traffic in the terminal.